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Tribute to my Mom and Dad

I am thankful for my mom and dad. They instilled in me the importance of family and spending time together. It
wasn’t so much what they said to me but how they lived their lives. They weren’t perfect by a long shot. They made their share of mistakes while trying to raise three energetic children. God, family and hard work were their top priorities.

I never really appreciated my parents until I was blessed with children of my own. Isn’t it funny how that works?
I took so many things for granted while I was growing up.

My dad was a underground miner in Butte,
Montana who worked very hard to provide for his family. We had the necessities. We had enough to eat, clothing to wear and a place we called home.

We lived in an old run down house that needed a complete overhaul. I use to be embarrassed to bring my 'rich' girlfriend to our home because it was shabby and run down and her home was so perfect, or so I thought.
As a child I often wished I could have been born into a rich family whose dad owned a new fancy car and lived in a modern, large home decorated with the finest furniture.

As an adult, I came to realize how very blessed I am to have been raised by such caring and loving parents. I was given all that I needed and much more.

I have fond memories of the fun times I had growing up in the old home. I remember just like it was yesterday, the card games we played as
a family. We would play monopoly at least once a week and the game went on well into the night. I was able to be a child growing up. I recall with fond memories riding my bike with my friends all day long or playing a simple game of “kick the can”
or playing “hide n seek” or just for fun rolling on the grass during those lazy, carefree days of summer. I remember feeling safe and feeling loved.

The winter months were delightful as I carefully put on layers of clothing to venture out into the bitter cold to go zooming down the wonderful hills of Walkerville, Montana on my sled. My favorite pastime was
ice-skating. The outdoor ice skating rink was only a rocks throw away from our front door. I spent hours on the ice.

As an adult, I still feel like a child sometimes. I love to play cards and board games. I get a real thrill out of making a snowman or making snow angels. Today, I treasure the times I spend with my family.

My mom and dad instilled in me the importance of my Catholic faith. As a young adult, I ventured away from God and my faith for a number of
years trying to find where I belonged and looking in all the wrong places. After a season of many painful experiences, I found my way back to the faith of my childhood. I am so grateful for my Catholic faith today.

Even though mom and dad are no longer with us here on earth, I know they are cheering and praying for us as we journey to our heavenly home
one day at a time.

Thanks mom and dad for giving me the gift of life and the values that I have
tired to pass on to my children and grandchildren.